MK forum

They may have realized the abuse when confessions were made, but they didn't think the abuse was "big enough" in certain cases. Especially if the child was "asking for it" or had a rebellious spirit. Then they would say, "it just goes to show you . . .". And the child was certainly not important enough to interrupt the work of the Lord. The arrogance of not using any other authority . . .

When I was 12 I had some sort of visible long parasite on the sole of my foot. Over two months I watched it wiggle across my foot. It didn't hurt, and the interest I had in it was probably a foretaste of my nursing career. Anyway, my mom, actually wrote to an RN on furlough with our mission via snail mail to ask what she should do. Why not ask the the other missionary nurses from other missions? Or the maid? Or the pharmacist? We lived in a modern city . . .this distrust led to an isolationism with profound impact on the soul . . .all it took was a simple cream and the parasite disintegrated.

But haven't we all changed in ways, especially moral ones? I worked in a group home, who's directors believed in a philosophy of care called Social Role Valorization. It was thru their extensive training that I came to value and esteem the mentally challenged among us. They had an exercise they led you thru to uncover your own prejudices. It was embarrassing and thankfully didn't have to be read out loud. I believe nurses that study geriatrics and elder abuse make better nurses. After 21 years of marriage I can look back and see areas which were wrong in the way I treated my husband. I would hesitate to say that anybody who has a moral lack can't be trained. When I worked in the prison, we didnt have anyone to care for an elderly man--one other prisoner helped him so gently, that the city ended up paying him to help him with his briefs, and protect the elder prisoner.

I agree with you, Allbetter. I hope that I have learned and grown and changed a lot, and interacting with all of you on this website has been a big component of that growth. So I choose to believe that others too, can learn, and grow, and change. Education is a big part of that, and can be either formal or informal. Intuitive from within yourself, or from others like counselors, teachers, mentors and authors.
I'm thankful for those who never gave up on me.

Even those of us who mostly read the forum to better understand our spouse and other loved ones are finding healing here from our own wounds of the past. Thank you all for being courageous enough to talk about these difficult issues. When the light shines it reaches far and wide.

Some hearts get softened over circumstances, the conviction of the Holy Spirit, and they actually become less convinced that they are right. Others don't. Although this prolonged time period is tough for us, it may be what is needed to bring NT's members to a point where they are willing to change. It's Your kindness that leads to repentance, oh Lord.